Dundee United have turned to a group of senior players to be leaders of men during the coronavirus crisis.
Captain Mark Reynolds, fellow central defender Mark Connolly, midfielder Calum Butcher and experienced American player Dillon Powers are all heading up leadership groups and will monitor the well-being of their Tannadice team-mates.
The United squad have been placed on the UK government’s Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme, which means manager Robbie Neilson, who is not on furlough himself, can’t be in contact with them.
That has seen Neilson, sporting director and managing director Mal Brannigan place their faith in Reynolds, Connolly, Butcher and Powers to ensure the members of the Tangerines’ squad are staying fit and healthy during the lockdown.
Neilson confirmed: “We have a good leadership group in terms of Mark Reynolds, Mark Connolly, Calum Butcher and Dillon Powers.
“It is something we have always done but something we have stepped up because the club and I can’t communicate with the players because of the furlough.
“We have good characters who speak to the rest of the players and make sure they are OK.
“The players all speak to one another every other day. They also play these different computer games they play.
“Now we have senior players who are in the leadership groups and they all have a certain number of boys to look after and stay in touch with.
“All the boys stay in Dundee and are all a tight group.
“They are in contact a few times a week, even if it is for a quick chat or catch-up.”
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